2,000-year-old Roman shipwrecks revealed with stunning gold coins and royal crystal head

ALEXANDRIA: Egyptian archaeologists have discovered at least three sunken shipwrecks dating back than 2,000 years.

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Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities announced that the discoveries were made during excavation works carried out by the Egyptian mission in collaboration with the European Institute of underwater Archeology in Eastern port of Alexandria.

“The excavations indicate that a fourth vessel is likely to be found during the coming working season, he said adding that expedition has uncovered large beams and planks as well as an archaeological remains of pottery vessels that may represent the cargo of the vessel.”

Dr.Ayman Ashmawy, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector said that the archaeological mission began its excavations last September after the approval of the Permanent Committee of Egyptian Antiquities.

The royal head bust head sculpture is carved from crystal and is thought to portray a likeness of Marcus Antonius, hero of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.

Three gold coins dating back to Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD, were also discovered around 12 miles (20 km) off the coast.

Its works included a survey of the soil in both the eastern port and the Abu Qir Bay, underwater excavations at the Heraklion sunken city in Abu Qir Bay,as well as the completion of the conservation and documentation works.